11 K-drama Heroes Who Made Us Realize Why We Swoon Over Men Who Are Foodies
Tall, dark and handsome just don't cut it anymore
We've come a long way from the days when tall, dark and handsome were the prime attributes of our ideal man. Sure, we want all those, but in addition he's got to be smart and funny, and love us for all our quirks. And if he knew his way around the kitchen, and could mix a mean cocktail... we'd melt right into his arms. There's nothing sexier than a man who loves his food.
So yes, we are totally into men who are heroic foodies. Or at the very least, can be depended upon to understand what a good meal is all about. Like these Kdrama heroes, who know that the path to a woman's heart is one filled with delicious ramyon, tofu stew, steak and kimchi.
Our Handsome Foodie Heroes
Our Handsome Foodie Heroes
Kim Hae Kyung in Dinner Mate (2020)
Two strangers, mistaken as a couple, decide to become dinner mates, and develop an unexpected bond that helps them heal their broken hearts. Kim Hae Kyun (played by Song Seung Heon) is a psychiatrist who specializes in food therapy. Clearly, he knows that the path to a woman’s heart is one with lots of good conversations over delicious meals. We're already in love with the idea of a man like this. Aren't you?
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Park Sae Ro Yi in Itaewon Class (2020)
Actor Park Seo Joon's latest series centers on food, loyalty, and diversity. The iconic character that PSJ plays is Park Sae Ro Yi, a high school dropout and ex-convict who decides to open a pub after the tragic death of his father in an accident caused by his high-school enemy—who just happens to be the heir of the biggest food corporation in Korea. As he carries the weight of his father’s death, Sae Ro Yi makes it his life’s mission to turn his business into the best food company in South Korea, and thus ruin his enemy's business. It's David and Goliath with lots of soju and soft tofu stew. While this series focuses on the night life scene in Korea—barbecues, soju, stews, parties—Park Sae Ro Yi’s character inspired us how to never stop believing in ourselves as well as the people that truly supports us. His proud yet innocent charm has surely made its way into our hearts, most especially his award-winning soft tofu stew recipe!
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Moon Gang Tae in It's Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
An emotionally satisfying series about family, with sensitively-drawn characters that raise awareness about mental health. Moon Gang Tae (played by Kim Soo Hyun) is a caretaker working in a mental health facility, and who has a brother, Sang Tae, with autism spectrum disorder. What we love about this series is how the food scenes show the relationships between the characters: a restaurant scene where Sang Tae insists on paying the bill is really about the tender, evolving relationship between the brothers; while a bowl of rice porridge with braised eggs gives us the most touching, cathartic moment in the show.
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Kim Shin in Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (2016)
This K-drama took Korea by storm and became the fifth-highest rated Korean drama in cable television history. Apart from its massive success, Gong Yoo (who played Kim Shin) was awarded Best Actor in 54th Baeksang Awards. As a 939-year-old immortal goblin, Kim Shin has a well-developed palate, and lots of gold to indulge his tastes. We're jealous of his love interest, Ji –Eun Tak (played by Kim Go-eun). A romantic date over steak and fine wine set in a lovely restaurant in Quebec? Take us instead!
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Grim Reaper in Goblin: the Lonely and The Great God (2016)
We adore this sweet-faced character. He was a king in his past life, but became a Grim Reaper as punishment for committing a great sin. Just like the Goblin, the Grim Reaper is a very sophisticated, mysterious man who seems to be cooking and eating a lot of quality steaks.
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Captain Ri in Crash Landing On You (2020)
We can't deny Captain Ri has landed in our hearts (and taken it captive). His boyish charm kept us sane through this very long quarantine! Handsome, patient, and stoic are just few of his admirable qualities. But what really clinches the deal is when he makes Seri some delicious noodles. And hand brewing her coffee, too!
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Han Kang Bae in Mystic Pop Up Bar (2020)
This webtoon based K-drama revolves around a mysterious pojangmacha (outdoor tent-bar) that can miraculously travel to any part of the world in search of troubled souls to help. Yook Sung Jae plays Han Kang Bae, an innocent-faced young man with a special empathetic gift that allows him to unburden people of their grudges, which of course always happens over a delicious meal and several swigs of soju at the mystic pop up bar.
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Chef Gwi in Mystic Pop Up Bar (2020)
Chef Gwi, played by Choi Won Young, is a thoughtful and helpful character with a warm sense of humor. He seems to know just the right thing to say when emotions are running high, and he watches over heroine, Wol-joo, and helps her fulfill her penance. We wish we could find someone with his patience, kitchen skills, and ageless good looks. Talk about an ideal man!
Photo Credit: mydramalist.com
Noh Sun Gi in Coffee Prince (2007)
This classic K-drama must be the first series where we first witnessed actor Gong Yoo’s charm. Remember how we watched this via a local channel back in 2012? While Noh Sun Gi is a supporting character, he really made a lasting impression, being so sexy and reserved with long black hair. And, he makes pancakes!
Photo Credit: Netflix
Seo Poong in Wok of Love (2018)
A group of misfits find a home in a small Chinese restaurant. Seo Poong, an award-winning chef who works in a high-class restaurant, is envied by his coworkers who cause him to lose his job. So he finds refuge in a failing Chinese restaurant called “Hungry Wok.” As a talented chef with an adorable smile, Seo Poong’s character will make you want to cheer him on as he struggles to transform the small restaurant into a brilliant success.
Photo Credit: IMDB
Goo Dae Yeong in the Let's Eat Series (2013, 2015 and 2018)
You can tell from its title that the series is all about food. While the setting and plots of each season differs from the next, Goo Dae Young's character remains in every story. Played by Yoon Doo Joo, he is a passionate foodie who's an expert on different cuisines. Each episode features different types of food—from Korean, Chinese, Indian, Thai—and is shown as part of Dae Yeong’s food journey as a part-time food blogger. One of the things that attracts the viewers on this perfect ‘food-buddy’ character is his knowledge on food. Dae Yeong will surely take you on a mouth-watering food escapade, as well as give you multiple way to enjoy even the simplest meal!
Photo Credit: Netflix
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